Effects of P-MAPA associated with gemcitabine in proliferative and apoptotic balance in Pancreatic Cancer

• Grant number: 15/20767-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal researcher: Patrick Vianna Garcia
• Grantee: Maísa Massafera Pereira
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors, being responsible for 5% of death worldwide. Strong evidences suggest that the main oncogenic pathways are adapted to the metabolism of the tumor to guarantee its progression and development. Thus, the alterations in the cellular energy metabolism should be considered as a fundamental feature of the cancer. In this scenario, P-MAPA imunomodulator should be considered by its versatility and minimal cytotoxicity, showed by in vitro and in vivo studies that opened a new perspective to fight some types of cancer, including the pancreatic. Thereby, the objectives of this project are to characterize and to compare the immunogenic, histopathological and molecular effects of the P-MAPA immunotherapy in association to chemotherapy with gemcitabine for the treatment of chemically induced pancreatic cancer in rats and also to establish the possible mechanisms of action of these therapies involving proliferative and apoptotic index. To induce the pancreatic cancer 1mg of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) crystals will be engraft in the head of the pancreas of 40 male Fischer 344 rats. Ten other animals will not receive DMBA and will be considered as controls. After 120 days of induction, all animals will be submitted to ultrasonography to confirm the existence of the pancreatic cancer and then will be divided in 5 groups (10 animals each): Control group (Group 1), Cancer group (Group 2), Cancer+P-MAPA group (Group 3), Cancer+Gemcitabine group (Group 4), Cancer+P-MAPA+Gemcitabine (Group 5). After 30 days of treatment, pancreatic samples will be collected and submitted to analysis of the apoptotic and proliferative potential. The results may contribute to the development of a new therapeutic approach against pancreatic cancer based on the association of P-MAPA and gemcitabine chemotherapy.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DURAN, NELSON; FAVARO, WAGNER J.. BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALS: MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE COMPOUNDS AND PERSPECTIVES. Química Nova, v. 41, n. 5, p. 567-576, MAY 2018. (15/20767-0, 14/12047-4, 11/05919-7, 09/50426-9, 12/19741-8, 15/00423-4, 16/03993-9, 14/08549-4, 99/06052-3, 12/13585-4, 12/05306-8, 13/01600-1, 12/11002-1, 13/10520-1, 16/07393-6, 13/11082-8, 13/10521-8, 11/05726-4, 13/11346-5, 14/11866-1, 11/03774-1, 12/16880-7)